Jan 30 2016

Running Out Of Gas!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Running Out Of Gas!

Sister Marry was truly a religious woman. Besides for her duties as a nun, she was also very active in various hospitals visiting sick patients and taking care of all their needs.

So it was no surprise that one day when she ran out of gas, the only container she could find to put the gas into was a bedpan. Sister Mary happily walked two blocks to the closest gas station filled up the bedpan with gas and headed back to her car.

Luck would have it that as Sister Mary started tipping the gas into the fuel tank, the traffic light turned red and she had quite a large audience witnessing the spectacle.

Just when she finished pouring in the last drops of gas a fellow opened up his window and hollered, “I swear! If that car starts I’m becoming a religious man!” Author unknown

Reflections:

A few years ago I had a Dr.’s appointment in Calgary, Alberta Canada. It was a freezing day with lots of snow. In my younger years, I would never let the weather dictate my fashion style, no matter how silly it was.

When I think back, I am embarrassed to tell you that day I went strictly for fashion. Now picture this, black pants, black ski jacket, black 4-inch high spiked-heeled snow boots hot pink gloves. Fashionable yet warm. I had to park two blocks away from the doctor’s office, so I had to maneuver the drifts, ice, and traffic to get to the office on time.

When I arrived the office, it was filled to capacity. The nurse who greeted me seemed more like a sergeant yelling orders to her troops as I approached the desk.

She loudly commanded me to get a pair of bright blue surgical booties from a basket and, put them on over my 4-inch heel snow boots. She didn’t want the floor to get dirty she said. Now getting those on was quite an ordeal, as everyone in the office watched to see how I would fit them over my fashion boots, I felt ridiculous.

I soon forgot about my little blue booties, after my appointment, I walked out of the Dr.’s office with them still one. The people driving by were laughing, pointing and waving; so I just smiled and waved back. There sure seemed to be a lot of friendly people around.

I was walking down the street when suddenly the Sergeant Nurse leaned out the office doors and yelled, “You forgot to take your booties off.” Please bring them back! Lol, no wonder people were laughing. “Pride certainly came before the fall and was on full display that day. Do you ever have days like that?

I ‘m sure God was shaking his head in laughter that day. I have a great verse underlined in my Bible for occasion just like this, it says,

When pride comes; disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. Psalm 11:2

This verse is a reminder to me that I constantly need God’s help for His wisdom and humility.

After all I’m not the Good News, Jesus is! ©

God grants with each burden the strength to bear it…
seldom more, never less.

Have a great weekend, HUGS
Lovingly, Karan

Oct 16 2015

Happy Birthday Cowboy

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Surprise, Happy Birthday Cowboy

Every morning in our ranching and farming community the men would always meet at the local restaurant to enjoy coffee and breakfast and to keep up with the happenings of the day before. Topics included: cows, crops, politics and solving all the world’s problems for the day. At 6:00 am – 8:30 am it was the men’s den!

On my husband’s birthday, October 7th a few years back, I decided to surprise him with a singing telegram at the restaurant so all the friends could enjoy his birthday too. I took the cake to the restaurant the night before so when they sang Happy Birthday the cake could appear. I thought it would make a memorable birthday for my husband and his friends

When I booked the singing telegram, I chose the dancing Gorilla in a hula skirt to show up at the coffee shop at 6:30 am for the biggest effect. I was excited about the next day’s surprise. However, the night before, the woman from Party Singing Grams called and said she was sorry but they were double booked and couldn’t come. I was so disappointed, all the plans seemed to be falling apart at that moment. She then suggested she could lend me the gorilla suit with the hula outfit, taped Hawaiian music and the birthday song recorded if I would come and get it.

I decided to go ahead, how hard can a hula dance be with music? I saw it on TV once, two steps to the left waving your arms then two steps to the right still waving your arms. I was so confident about the steps and music when I brought the outfit home I never practiced. Besides, if I were wearing, the gorilla outfit no one would recognize it as me.

After my husband left for work at 6:00 I hurriedly put the outfit on. My daughter drove me downtown, and I stood outside the window trying to get my brave on. Finally I went in, messed up my husband’s hair, took a pose with my arms out and pressed the button to start the music on the tape-recorder. To my shock “Credence Clearwater Revival” blasted out a rock and roll tune– she had sent the wrong tape! Stunned my mind raced at what to do next, so I just decided to try and make the Hula work. Lol

I started the music again and did the two steps left waving my arms and two steps right still waving my arms only at a much more accelerated speed. I thought that tape would never end, and I was starting to sweat. That was hard work in a gorilla outfit!

Finally, the happy birthday song started, and I just ran out the door, giving the proper birthday wishes and left. I raced home, packed the gorilla outfit up and waited for him to come home; all the while trying to pretend nothing unusual happened. The hardest part was for my daughter and me to keep a straight face when he came home. He described to us about what happened to him at the coffee shop. How some woman dressed as a hula dancing gorilla tried to do the hula dance to a “Credence Clearwater Revival’s” rock and roll song, very strange.

But the cake was great. He also added that he thought the Party Singing Gram lady had put on some weight because she was much heavier than she used to be! And by the way, he noted, her hair was blonde now, she must have dyed it because he saw blonde hair at the back of the gorilla’s neck!!!

It took me two years to confess that the gorilla was me, but when I think of the fun I had it still gives me the giggles. Thank you, God, for giving us a sense of humor, where would we be without it?©

Thank you for sharing your time with me today, dear friend. If you find and inspiration, love or laughter here, please share with the ones who might enjoy a giggle too.

Have a Great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Sep 18 2015

“These are a few of my favorite things”

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

“These are a few of my favorite things”

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knittin‘, Walkers and handrails and new dental fittin’s, Bundles of magazines tied up with string, These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillac’s, cataracts, hearing aids, glasses, Polident, Fixodent, false teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, These are a few of my favorite things. When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad, Then I remember my favorite things. And then I don’t feel so sad.

Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions, No spicy hot food nor food cook’d with onions, Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring, These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin’, Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin’. And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, when the hips break, When the eyes grow dim, Then I remember the great life I’ve had, And then I don’t feel so sad. THEN I REMEMBER THE GREAT LIFE I’VE HAD AND THEN I DON’T FEEL SOOO BAD! Author unknown

Quilting Reflections from a Novice:

I have often admired the beautiful quilts that people make and all the intricate patterns and colors they use. When I sewed my first quilt it was many years ago, it was called a rag quilt. It was so easy I never made another one. Lol.

But as time passed, I decided to help my granddaughter make a T-shirt quilt. She is a T-shirt expert and loves each T-shirt she buys and wears. So for her, having her favorite T-shirts near was comforting. We cut, spliced, pieced and sewed blocks all the while trying to keep everything squared. It was difficult because I didn’t know what I was doing and was trying to learn how to quilt from the internet.

Working on this quilting project, I talked to some wonderful quilters in our area who were encouraging and helpful. And seeing some of their beautiful quilts and pictures I started to become a little wobbly in my abilities. I wondered if my quilt would look alright and be acceptable. In my heart I knew it would not win any prizes, all I could see was the flaws. I worried about everything on that quilt. Could I do the binding right, would my hand stitches be even, would anyone even notice?

Do you ever doubt your abilities when you look at others and admire their talents and perfection? Only to find yourself grumbling how your talent doesn’t measure up to their perfection. Instead of thanking God for the privilege that he gave you to serve him in your special way, and enjoying the process.

When my son-in-law came for a visit and helping me to square the quilt preparing it for the binding. He helped me to see a new quilt perspective. Pointing out all the flaws and mistakes I had made, he said,” it adds character, everyone will know it is an original homemade quilt made with love.”

Thank you, Lord, for those words of wisdom to remind me that love can transcend time and eternity because of you. My son-in-law was right, every stitch began with the love for a special granddaughter. And it was fun to see the process unfolded. I wonder if God loves to see the process of our lives unfold too. ©

Lovingly, Karan

How do you deal with doubting your abilities and comparisons to others? Let me know if you do that too.

Thank you, dear friends for sharing your time with me today, Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family. Hugs to all!

Sep 03 2015

IS GROWING UP OPTIONAL ?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

Is Growing Up Optional?

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn’t already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, “Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I’m eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?” I laughed and enthusiastically responded, “Of course you may!” and she gave me a giant squeeze.

“Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?” I asked. She jokingly replied, “I’m here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids…”

“No seriously,” I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. “I always dreamed of having a college education, and now I’m getting one!” She told me.

After class, we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this “time machine” as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon, and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up, and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester, we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I’ll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Embarrassed, she leaned forward into the microphone and said, “I’m sorry I’m a little nervous. I’ll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.”

As we laughed, she cleared her throat and began, “We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success.

You have to laugh and find humor every day. You’ve got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it! There is an enormous difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything, I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.”

She finished her speech by courageously singing “The Rose. At the year’s end, Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it’s never too late to be all you can be. Author unknown

Reflections:

I love this story, especially now as I am maturing. I pray I will always have an attitude of wonder, joy and curiosity in each new day’s activities. No matter what age I am or how I am feeling. And I never want to get weary of meeting new and interesting people, I think this keeps us young. I want to age as graceful as I can and keep them guessing.

We make a Living by what we get,

We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

If God brings you to it – He will bring you through it.

Thank you for sharing your time with me sweet friend, What do you do to keep a young perspective,

I would love to hear your thoughts. Have a great week, Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Aug 13 2015

Grandparents, How We Love them!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

Grandparents/Retirement???

A teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their vacation.

One child wrote the following:

We always used to spend the holidays with grandma and grandpa. They used to live here in a big, brick house, but grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people.

They live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on big tricycles and wear name tags because they don’t know who they are anymore.

They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and do exercises there, but they don’t do them very well.

There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don’t know how to swim.

At their gate there is a dollhouse with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts.

My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds.

Some of the people can’t get past the man in the dollhouse to go out, so the ones who get out bring food back to the wrecked center and call it pot luck.

My grandma says grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded one day, too. When I earn my retardment I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren.

Reflections:

I have three daughters, and they loved their grandmothers and learned wonderful life lessons from both.

Grandma Frances, was from California, who was funny, curious and as they said in ‘Star Wars” “To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before.” Grandma always brought excitement!

She was eccentrically independent with a generous heart, and loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the perfect bargain.

She always saw beauty in everything and especially loved the times she spent with her granddaughters in San Diego when they were visiting. Sandy beaches, seashells, sea world and Mexican food.

Even now, I miss her laughter, her wonderful smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable odds. Mother often said, “With God nothing is impossible.”

We knew mother, and grandma loved us, and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would keep her through the ups and downs of life. She taught us all daily about God’s grace, forgiveness and love. Through her life we could see how God faithfully protected and care for each of us.

Grandma Hedevig lived close by, fact she lived-in the same farmyard.

Every day after school My daughters would stop at Grandma’s for cookies and tea, play a game of Sorry or Trouble, and then come home. She always had a listening ear, and encouraging word and many hugs. It was as though it was their special time to have Grandma all to themselves.

I remember the joy on their faces as they came home telling me they had beat their Grandmother in their chosen game today. Such confidence and happiness, although I am sure that she allowed them win much more then they lost.

I always admired her gentle ways, with a willingness to loving teach her granddaughters how to bake and enjoy recipes as they hunted for something new to try and sample.

She was a beautiful pianist, organist and singer. And that gift passed on to her granddaughters. They would go over to her house, and quietly enjoy their own private concerts and singing.

She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. Always knowing God loved her, and had faith he had a perfect plan for her.

The cherished gifts these two different grandmothers give her grandchildren have given them a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more than silver and gold. My daughters are blessed. ©

Thank you for sharing your time with me dear reader, I pray that you have gotten a giggle and a blessing at the same time. Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Karan K. Gleddie

Offering Love and Laughter to Women who need Hope

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